Question

4054va v. english 12 sem a- a
hamlet, part 5: characteristics of elizabethan drama
tis now the very witching time of night,
when churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
contagion to this world: now could i drink hot blood,
and do such bitter business as the day (280)
would quake to look on. soft now to my mother.
o heart! lose not thy nature; let not ever
the soul of nero enter this firm bosom;
let me be cruel, not unnatural;
i will speak daggers to her, but use none: (285)
my tongue and soul in this be hypocrites;
how in my words soever she be shent,
to give them seals never, my soul, consent! exit.
what does hamlet intend to do when he speaks with his mother?
he plans to convince her to go to church. he plans to attack her with words but not with actual weapons. he plans to forgive her for marrying claudius. he plans to threaten her with a dagger.

Explanation:

To determine Hamlet's intention, we analyze the text: "I will speak daggers to her, but use none" and "My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites; How in my words soever she be shent, To give them seals never, my soul, consent!" This shows he plans to use harsh words (speak daggers) but not physical weapons. The other options don't match: he doesn't plan to convince her to go to church, forgive her, or threaten with a real dagger.

Answer:

B. He plans to attack her with words but not with actual weapons.